Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30914
Hints and tips by Senf
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment *****
A very good Wednesday morning from Winnipeg where some are celebrating the events of two days ago and some are not, especially the two major party leaders who lost their seats!
For me, etc (I have to say that for Terence), a reasonably straightforward and entertaining midweek puzzle which I am suggesting, with the absence of the Reverend W A Spooner, is the work of Hudson. Whomsoever it is, thank you.
Candidates for favourite – 15a, 17a, 28a, 16d, and 18d.
In the hints below, the definitions are underlined. The answers are hidden under the Click here! buttons, so don’t click if you don’t want to see them.
Please leave a comment telling us what you thought.
Across
1a Girls are mad for this Black Label Dior creation (6,4)
BARBIE DOLL: The single letter for Black and an anagram (creation) of LABEL DIOR.
6a Use computer to break in horse (4)
HACK: A double definition- the second may be a horse that past its prime.
9a Man Tel Aviv sent back, not very independent (5)
VALET: The reversal of TEL AViv after the removal (not) of the single letters for Very and Independent.
10a Sat across street, looking dishevelled (9)
STRADDLED: The two letter abbreviation of STreet and a single word equivalent to looking dishevelled – I wonder if one can ever look shevelled?
12a Fiddle my per diem cash in complex rip-off (7,6)
PYRAMID SCHEME: An anagram (fiddle) of MY PER DIEM CASH.
14a Makes too much drama of past deeds (8)
OVERACTS: Synonyms of past and deeds.
15a In which to soak Trump’s bottom? Oh, that’s totally laid back! (3,3)
HOT TUB: I am sure that RD will approve the American indicator – the reversal (that’s totally laid back) of all of a (N Am Inf – Trump’s) synonym of bottom (as in backside) and OH from the clue.
17a Retro picture featuring Circle Line? (6)
TROPIC: A lurker (featuring) found in the first two words of the clue.
19a Japanese film icon’s health has worsened, it’s reported (8)
GODZILLA: A homophone (it’s reported) of all of a type of icon with the possessive S and a single word term for health has worsened.
21a Whip Conservative A-list Etonian into shape (3-1′-4-5)
CAT-O’NINE-TAILS: My goodness, we have an apostrophe indicating contraction in the enumeration, although it would be better if it was (3-1’4-5) – the single letter for (politically) Conservative and an anagram (into shape) of A-LIST ETONIAN.
24a Rising actress Wilson a hero (9)
REBELLION: The first name of an (Australian) actress with the last name Wilson and a single word for a hero.
25a Regained consciousness requiring pan in A&E (5)
AWOKE: A Chinese cooking pan inserted into (in) the letters A and E.
26a One may eat people, so gets repelled? (4)
OGRE: The reversal (gets repelled) of a synonym of so, ‘borrowed’ directly from Latin.
27a Charitable inclination to collect English novel works (10)
BENEVOLENT: A synonym of inclination (as in preference for a particular activity?) contains (to collect) all of the single letter for English and an anagram (works) of NOVEL.
Down
1d Group of girls getting drink (4)
BEVY: A double definition – the second is the informal abbreviated form of a synonym of (alcoholic) drink.
2d Turning paler, son beginning to experience setback (7)
RELAPSE: The reversal (turning) of PALER, the single letter for Son, and the first letter (beginning to) of Experience.
3d Cap such activity between countries? (13)
INTERNATIONAL: The type of activity that, for example, a footballer has to participate in between countries to be awarded a cap.
4d Bug in the house? It’s muted after work (4,4)
DUST MITE: An anagram (after work) of IT’S MUTED.
5d Utah’s top Republican wearing hat that’s glaringly bright (5)
LURID: The first letter (top) of Utah and the single letter for Republican all inserted into (wearing) an informal synonym of hat.
7d Complaint has soldiers punching first-class lieutenant (7)
AILMENT: A synonym of soldiers inserted into (punching) the letter and number indicating first class and the two letter abbreviation of lieutenant.
8d Child born Sean, famous actor, bored by Yankee foodstuff (6,4)
KIDNEY BEAN: An informal synonym of child, the male form of a ‘borrowed’ French word for born, and the last name of a ‘famous’ actor containing (bored by) the letter represented by Yankee in the phonetic alphabet.
11d Lean classic good – not ordinary – chorizo, VAT free (6,7)
DOCTOR ZHIVAGO: Lean is a film director – an anagram (free) of GOoD with one letter, that can represent Ordinary deleted (not) and CHORIZO, VAT.
13d Driving Macron to Le Casino here? (5,5)
MONTE CARLO: An anagram (driving) of MACRON TO LE.
16d Swindle can upset European Union? Proceed! (8)
CONTINUE: Synonyms of swindle and nounal can followed by the reversal (upset) of the two letters for European Union.
18d Old King catching part of Hamlet’s soliloquy in autumn time (7)
OCTOBER: The single letter for Old and the regnal cypher of our King containing (catching) part of the beginning of Hamlet’s Act 3, Scene 1 soliloquy.
20d Willowy Kate Moss illustrated back covers (7)
LISSOME: A reversed lurker (back covers) found in three words in the clue.
22d Conk broken by one bang, perhaps (5)
NOISE: The projecting part of the face used in breathing and smelling that Conk is a slang synonym for containing (broken by) the Roman numeral for one.
23d Corrupt wager placed around noon (4)
BENT: A three letter wager containing (placed around) the single letter for Noon.
Quick Crossword Pun:
RUDY + RED + NOSE + DRAIN + DEAR = RUDY RED NOSED REINDEER
Fun and completable without being too straightforward. Glad to be able to finish this unaided after being beaten by yesterday’s crossword.
Thank you to the setter. 18d, with Hamlet’s soliloquy was my favourite. I didn’t know Lean’s involvement in 11d, but guessed from the answer. And thank you to Senf for being there.
The quickie pun has 5 words in it. Perhaps so day crosswordland will recognise the other 8 of Santa’ fliers
Welcome to the blog
Welcome to the blog from me also. Apologies on the c*ck up on the pun, my eyes were glazing over by the time I reached that point of ‘composing’ the blog – now fixed.
What did you think of the rest of the puzzle?
based on this, you must mean Dash, Dance, Prance, Vix, Com, Cue, Don, and Blitz
Good shout, JD!
Just right for a Wednesday back pager – not too 27a but most enjoyable
Thanks to the setter and Senf
If you haven’t printed off the Toughie yet, please note that the final across clue goes onto a second piece of paper
Trickier than yesterday, but I enjoyed the challenge.
A few unknowns for me, but the clues were gettable anyway. I don’t think I have come across the synonym of “looking dishevelled” in 10a before, nor did I know Ms Wilson at 24a or Mr Lean at 11d. Every day a school day.
Ticks from me for 17a, 21a, 25a and 20d.
Thank you setter and Senf.
You haven’t heard of David Lean? Having met you, I am surprised.
He directed, to name a few, Bridge on the River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia, Brief Encounter and Passage to India, winning Oscars for the first two. You could argue that he is the best ever director from this green and pleasant land.
Apologies. The big screen is not my thing, I’m afraid.
I don’t have the patience for it….which is one reason that I never became a doctor.
Like it, Shabbers. Like it.
I confess that I never pay attention to who directs what. I enjoy watching a good film, and will usually remember the actors.
This was an enjoyable solve with plenty of great surfaces.
I am struggling to see how ‘driving’ can be an anagram indicator. Can anyone help? I was curious to find out how many anagram indicators there are. So I did a search and found a list of 1,500 examples. 1,500??? That’s bonkers. Funnily enough, ‘driving’ wasn’t one of them but I’m sure it’s legit as these solvers know their noinos.
There will probably be some complaints about the Aussie actress but she has been around for almost 15 years and is a fairly big name. So, I think it’s okay. All of your rellies under 30 will know her as she was in the enormously successful ‘Pitch Perfect’ trilogy.
The synonym for dishevelled in 10a and 4d are two more to add to the crib sheet.
My podium is 19a, 21a and 16d.
MT to Hudson (?) and Senf.
2*/4*
I knew the name of the Aussie, so the answer was straightforward, but could not have told you what she did/does – my guess would have been probably female, and possibly a singer, so thank you for adding to my “elusive knowledge”, Tom!
Always a pleasure, MG.
TDS65, 13d. I’ve been tackling these puzzles almost every day since 1970 and I can’t recall encountering “driving” before; probably have but just forgotren it. I guess it’s in the sense of “dynamic” and meaning (the letters) being vigorous, animated, lively, moving about.
A fair enough shout that I will take.
Thank you, J.
For me, and I stress for me (© Senf), this was a gracking guzzle, even though I needed Senf’s help with 26a and 1d because I am an eejit. I haven’t heard 1d used in that context since someone like Bruce, or Jimmy Tarbuck, introducing the Tiller Girls on Sunday Night At The London Palladium.
I have to go for physio today – my poor knee. I’m receiving payback now for years of crunching tackles as a midfield ‘dynamo’. I have to go to the most soulless building in the most hideous part of outer Reading. The ‘Silicon Valley’ along the M4 is scarred with these awful post-industrial estates, full of internet mega-companies, intermingled with ‘hire by the day’ offices. The only positive note I take away with me is that at least I don’t have to work there.
Thanks to the setter, and my dear old pal, The Man From Manitoba.
Today’s crossword soundtrack: Dame Kiri Te Kanawa – Songs of the Auvergne: ll Baïlèro
A great puzzle I agree though I was defeated by 1d and 26a too. It is entirely subjective but I don’t really like it when fairly minor celebs are reference by name. For me the film director in 11d OK but not the two actors elsewhere. Entirely subjective and I guess quite age dependent too. Thank you to setter and Senf.
My poor knee too, Terence. Saw the consultant last week and he was very brusque with a frail old lady, said of course he could do the operation but whether I would survive at my age and with my heart was another matter. My choice. I put the malady down to too much time on my knees but in your case is it all those ‘lovely’ walks?
What a rude man.
I know he is a surgeon and they prefer their patients to be unconscious when they see them, but this is Going Too Far .
Not at all sure I would want him operating on me anyway……
Sorry you are dealing with knee pain Daisy, I’ve seen how debilitating that can be. When Peter got a knee replaced last July his surgeon confided that he had recently successfully done same for a 91 year old man. Over here, the pre surgery steps and tests are quite thorough, so I’m sure that 91 year old must have been very fit. For example, any known heart problems would have to get clearance by a cardiologist first. And the post surgery recovery is also intensive, with regular physical therapy followed by exercises for at least a year.
I enjoyed this. Needed help to understand the lean part of 19a but got the solution from the rest of the clue.
Top picks for me were 26a, 18d, 8d and 19a.
Thanks to Senf and the setter.
As others have said, ideal for a Wednesday – very enjoyable without being too much of a gimme. Some great and amusing surfaces (15a, 21a) and a lovely variety of clue types. A bit annoyed that I had to write out two of the anagrams – multiple words in the anagram fodder have that effect now, I find. Did briefly wonder why the author at 20d had lost an E, what with the illustrated back covers, but light swiftly denwad.
Honours to 19a, 13d & 12a.
Many thanks to the setter (Hudson would be a good call) and Senf
Another enjoyable midweek puzzle. The synonym for dishevelled at 10a was new to me and I had to consult a list of David Lean films, but otherwise, no problems. Favourite today was the bit of Shakespeare in 18d, with plenty of other contenders for podium places, including 19 and 25a and 8 and 16d. Honourable mention for the quickie pun. Thanks to our setter and Senf ( for explaining the need for the word Trump in 15a)
Quirkier than usual, I thought, with some wonderful clues. Thanks to the setter and tipster
An enjoyable midweek puzzle – thanks to our setter and Senf.
I thought it slightly odd that the same word features in crossing answers in the SE corner.
My podium selections are 15a, 8d and 18d.
It seems I found this much trickier than everyone else – needed 3 separate sittings to complete so certainly got my money’s worth! Thank you to the setter for the challenge and to Senf who’s words of wisdom I shall now read
I spent far too long trying to shoehorn Kurosawa (he of Seven Samurai fame) ito 19a. He’s a Japanese film icon I suppose but the actual answer is a corker and makes my podium with 8d and 17d in top spot. Thanks to compiler for a cracker of a puzzle and Senf for the hints.
18d, not 17d 🙄
Thanks Senf and setter. I thought this was a great puzzle, all straightforward and not as hard going as some Wednesdays of late. Favourites 12a, just a super clue, 18d (or not, maybe?), and 19a which had me looking for a person until the penny dropped.
2.5*/4*. A couple of slightly contrived surfaces aside, I thought this was very enjoyable. I was delighted to see the apostrophe in the enumeration for 21a, but it was spoilt by the incorrect hyphen that followed it!
Where does the R come from in 10a? I don’t think STR is a valid abbreviation for street.
19a was my favourite of many ticked clues.
Many thanks to the setter and to Senf.
Apostrophe-hyphen is how 21a is written in both Chambers 21st Century Dictionary and The OED, so the enumeration looks correct to me. My only issue with the enumeration is that it makes the clue too obvious: seeing the enumeration plus the first word of the clue gives away the answer without even needing to read the wordplay.
The R in 10a is at the start of the 7-letter word meaning ‘dishevelled’.
Thanks, Smylers. I should of course have checked the BRB for the enumeration of 21a.
Re 10a, I looked up “raddle” in the BRB when I was solving. As the meanings relate to the use of red ochre or rouge, I assumed the parsing had to be STR + addled. Looking again, I see the adjective “raddled” is defined as “aged and worsened by debauchery” which for me is too big a stretch for “disheveled”.
I thought that “raddle” was the dye put on rams which on mating they then transfer to ewes…..and that mated ewes then could be identified by their being raddled….so presumably also a bit dishevelled…..
Or is that too agricultural for present company ?
That is some specialised knowledge. But, having done a searchy wirchy, it looks good as it’s a variant of the word ruddle, to dye or mark a sheep.
Thank you, ‘Would you like a pavlova…’
My day is now full.
It is Raddle in Yorkshire. Originally a red ochre paste on the rams chest. They use a different coloured wax “crayon” each week. As the rams only go back to a ewe if she fails to catch. Any ewe that has 3 or more colours at the end of tupping is probably for the knackers
Thank you, Sloops.
Being a townie, this is all new to me.
The noun raddle (or ruddle) meaning sheep dye doesn’t come into the equation at all. The word required is the adjective “raddled” which is a synonym of dishevelled/unkempt:
raddled
in British English
(ˈrædəld IPA Pronunciation Guide)
adjective
(esp of a person) unkempt or run-down in appearance
Ta muchly, once more 👏👏
Nearly gave up on this one but got there eventually. Needed Senf’s help to parse 18d now kicking self.
Ken’s companion at 1a had me stumped for a long time.
Bevy is a well used word in my part of the world although usually with two “vees” and never to describe a group of girls or pheasants!
.. and ignorant me too… never heard of Lean apart from in bacon.
Thanks to setter and Senf.
Smooth solve with a lovely lurker in 17a thank you compiler and Senf
As someone said, a nice straightforward solve with clever clues and nice lurker. Went a bit astray when I confidently put over does at 14a but when I started on the downs I had a rethink. And the only Wilson actress I know is the wonderful Ruth. I spent the morning interviewing the new Baptist ministers for the village magazine and this afternoon taking the minutes for the Almshouse meeting – a lot of typing ahead when I just want to sit and doze with a rug round my legs. 🙁 many thanks to the Setter and my friend in Winnipeg for explaining 15a.
DG – both of your comments (so far), this one and your reply to Terence, were in moderation briefly as you mis-spelled/mis-typed ‘internet’ in your e-mail address – another T in place of the R. Both ‘fixed’.
Very enjoyable puzzle today. Like RD above, I parsed 10a as STR + addled as I thought raddle too much of a stretch for the synonym. However, ‘dishevelled’ is listed as a synonym of ‘raddled’ in Chambers so I stand corrected.
Particularly enjoyed 17a, 25a and 11d. The 11d anagram shot into my head but it took longer to cross off where all the letters came from!
Thanks to setter and Senf.
Now back to yesterday, which I missed due to other commitments.
Had one heck of time breaking into this as I worked the top half, then suddenly the pennies dropped on a couple and I was off to the races. Some clever and confusing clues, but was worth it in the end.
2.5*/4*
Favourites 1a, 12a, 21a, 25a,11d & 22d — with winner 11d
Smiles for 1a, 12a, 15a & 25a
Thanks to setter & Senf
A real treat of a puzzle, just the right level of challenging for a Wednesday. I learnt a new synonym in 10a and had to check the relevance of Lean in 19a. 15a and 8d both made me smile.
Many thanks to the setter and to Senf for the hints.
Haven’t embarked on the cryptic yet as housework took over, but Graymattinha completed the quickie (with a few hints from yours truly), but what is the deal with the pun?! Graymattinha thinks due to copyright rules Rudy’s full name can’t be used?
A good puzzle for me…except for the Australian actress….never heard of her….but then one of my favourite films was there so that sort of evens things out.
Thanks to Senf and to the setter .
We were very busy yesterday dealing with some partially blocked drains. We think that the problem has been fixed but time will tell…..
Anyway, as a result I did not do the crossword yesterday nor look at the blog.
So, I would like to add my sincere condolences to Steve . All the best, Steve. I miss you as we all do.
One where I struggled to fit the wrong answers in a few times, didn’t know the Australian actress (only Wilson that came to mind was Rita), and didn’t know that synonym for hero anyway. But I plodded through and did at least finish. Thanks to setter and Senf.
Your delightful watercolour is in prime location on Steve’s wall
Thank you, it was a pleasure for me to do.
Great puzzle today. Didn’t know all the actors but I had enough letters to work them out anyway. COTD 21A – but I wonder was it too close to the bone?
Enjoyable puzzle with a nice amount of chew. Had no idea I was looking for a film at 11d , in fact was bemused by the clue totally until I got the Z and out the answer popped ! I hadn’t heard of the Lean director so learnt something. Thanks to the setter and Senf
1.5* / 4* Just right for a midweek puzzle, favourites 11d Lean Classic, 19a good misdirection and 24a Rising
Thanks to Senf and setter
I had the answer to 10a and decided that ‘raddled’ could well be a word that means dishevelled and lo and behold it was. Didn’t know the actress in 24a or the male born in 8d so needed the hint to parse that one. Quite a bit of guess the answer then reverse engineer the why went on here. Favourite was 3d. Thanks to the setter and Senf. I think I’ll give up on the toughie for tonight as I’m coming off easily second best.
Anyone know 17 across on the quick crossword? Really struggling…
Welcome to the blog.
If you have the four intersecting Down clues correct, you should have:
R _ S _ L _ _ E
Does that help?
I’m afraid I still don’t get 24 across. Is there an Australian actress whose first name is Rebel? I had only guessed the answer from the definition ‘rising’.
Yes, spot on Jackyt. I’d heard of her, though I’ve no idea what she looks like or which films she’s been in. Checking IMDB’s list, I don’t think I’ve seen any of them.
She looks just like she does in the photo in the hint!
This is her biography according to the ‘unimpeachable’ source Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebel_Wilson
Lots of support for 18d, but I don’t see where the C comes from. Unless ‘catching’ is serving a double purpose.
Hi, Michael. ‘King’ = ‘CR’, as in the current monarch’s regnal cypher.
That puzzled me for a while, too. Obviously in many other crosswords ‘King’ = just R, so the C seemed unaccounted for.
3*/3* ….
liked 21A “Whip Conservative A-list Etonian into shape (3-1′-4-5)”